Conversations With an Architect: AI in Architectural Practice
There’s no doubt that artificial intelligence is rapidly changing many industries, including architecture and interior design. Embracing this new approach with care is key.
While AI can help architects explore ideas, improve visualisation, and sometimes aid in communicating designs, it should be used as a support for the architectural process rather than replacing the creativity, professional judgment, and human relationships behind it. To rely on it blindly is detrimental.
In this conversation, Mel Gawi, Founder and Principal Architect of Architeria Architects, discusses how the practice approaches AI today, its current limitations and the possibilities it may create in the future.
Why do you believe architects should embrace AI?
“Life is constantly evolving, and if we do not keep up with new technologies, we risk becoming obsolete,” he says. “I completed my architectural degree back in 1993 using pen and paper. I remember spending many long days and late nights drawing my university projects by hand. What I’ve witnessed over the years is that many of those basic tools have been replaced by CAD, 3D modelling, and other software. What they never replaced was the architects. Yes, they improved our capabilities and allowed us to explore designs in three dimensions as well as aid in making changes more efficiently; however, the quality of the design still depended on the architectural student or architect working behind the scenes.
Mel continues, “Some people become excited and use the term artificial intelligence very freely. To me, AI is ultimately an advanced technology which is connected to an enormous database of information. It can process that information quickly and produce impressive results, but it does not have the feelings, and it does not have life experience, nor the intuition or natural talent of an architect. Architecture is about much more than generating an attractive image. It is about understanding people, how to respond to a land and its possibilities and restraints, and about creating spaces that make people feel comfortable while connecting the design to that feeling. I think we will see AI continuing to evolve, and architects should embrace it just as we embraced CAD and 3D modelling. However, it should remain a tool in the architect's hands. It’s true that technology may enhance our abilities, but ideas, creativity and emotional understanding must still come from the human being behind it.”
Is Architeria using AI to design homes?
“No. Our homes are not designed by artificial intelligence.” Mel Gawi is strong about getting the clear message out there that Architeria is not using AI for their designs or documentation.
“Every Architeria home is personally designed through conversations with our clients. The most important part is taking the time to understand each client's requirements. This includes lifestyle, cultural background, and personal space, ensuring that all these decisions are incorporated into the design and will still work in ten or twenty years from today. You cannot simply punch in a few words into an AI program and expect it to create a beautiful, buildable and functional home.
Good architecture requires experience, judgement and a deep understanding of design elements. The proportion, scale, materials, construction methodology, to mention a few. AI is a good tool for producing interesting images, but an image in itself is not architectural design. The limitations of AI in responding to the land, the orientation of a home, the planning requirements, the structural design, and the methods of construction remain real. A lot can go wrong, even with an image intended for artistic illustration.”
How does Architeria currently use AI?
“We primarily use AI as a visualisation tool to enhance the presentation of our own designs. After we have designed the home and prepared the architectural model, AI can sometimes help us improve the atmosphere and realism of a rendered image. It may also assist with landscaping, furniture placement, lighting, material textures or the overall mood of the presentation. But this is simply a presentation technique that enhances an already completed design. It is like applying make-up,” he laughs.
“The important point I’m trying to make is that the architecture has already been designed by us, by hand, using traditional tools like CAD and so forth. AI is not creating the home; it never will. It is helping us communicate our design more clearly in a presentation, perhaps, but not more than that. Our architectural knowledge and creativity remain at the centre of the process.”
Can you give an example of how AI can help with visualisation?
“A simple example came from our own home. We found a beautiful piece of antique furniture that we were considering for one of the rooms. In the past, we spent hours accurately drawing up furniture and modelling it into 3D before placing it into the architectural model. With the help of AI, I could instead photograph the furniture as well as the room and merge them in AI, which placed the furniture in the desired location of the room. It doesn’t replace our personal judgement or the design of the room, but it is a good tool for visualising how something might look in a room without spending too much time on it.”
Does AI replace traditional architectural sketches?
“No, but it can assist with quick concept illustrations.”
Mel elaborates. “An architect's hand sketch will remain the most important way of exploring and communicating an idea. However, AI can sometimes help turn a simple concept, photograph or rough sketch into a more detailed visual reference. This can be useful during early discussions when we want to test an idea, again, without spending many hours producing a detailed 3D model. These images must still be treated as visual studies rather than final architectural solutions. They require the architect's interpretation and professional judgment. It is important to remember that AI is not an all-knowing God; it is a tool that collects data, and it can still make mistakes and should never be relied on.”
Has AI changed the relationship between the architect and the client?
“No. The human interaction remains the same. We still meet and communicate with our clients directly through the entire design process. It is important to listen to your client. their ideas and to discuss concerns and to remain the trusted guide throughout the design process. Each home is highly individual, and this can never be replaced by AI.
The design process is a personal experience. Our role is to guide and advise, to come up with solutions and suggestions. This requires trust, patience and a genuine understanding of the people who will live there, and AI cannot replace that relationship. In many ways, I feel that technology makes personal interaction even more important. This is where an experienced architect who can separate realistic possibilities from images that may look impressive but cannot be properly planned, approved or built becomes the key. ”
Is Architeria using AI for architectural documentation?
“No. We do not use AI to produce our architectural documentation. You can never rely on AI to produce accurate drawings as they require accuracy, coordination and professional responsibility. Drawings must comply with planning controls, building regulations, engineering requirements, material specifications and construction standards. We have not reached a point where I believe AI should be relied on to prepare this work independently. However, AI may assist with some areas of architectural documentation in the future. It may eventually help identify coordination issues, verify information or automate repetitive drafting tasks. This is all highly possible, but even then, the architect must remain responsible for reviewing, coordinating and approving the final documentation.”
What are the risks of using AI in architecture?
“I believe that the greatest risk is using AI irresponsibly. One example could be presenting AI-generated images as though they represent a properly resolved architectural design. This is dangerous. An image can be visually impressive while containing impossible structures, incorrect proportions, impractical materials or spaces that do not relate properly to one another.
It may also have no connection to the site, the client's requirements or the relevant planning and building regulations. If any architectural practice promotes unrealistic AI-generated images without the ability to translate them into properly designed and buildable homes, it can quickly damage its professional reputation and the client's trust. It is better to name them what they are- artistic impressions. It is also important for architects to be transparent about how AI has been used. Technology should enhance professional work, never misrepresent it.”
Do you think AI will replace architects?
“No. I do not believe AI will ever replace experienced architects. I do think that, in time, it will change some of the tools we use, and it may make certain processes faster; however, architecture involves much more than producing attractive images. As an architect, you must understand people, land, proportion, planning requirements, building codes, construction, structure, materials, budgets and the long-term performance of a building. And as architects, we must also make judgments, solve problems and take professional responsibility for our work. Sure, AI can assist the architect, but it cannot replace the architect's experience, creativity, intuition or relationship with the client.”
In conclusion, what is Architeria's approach to AI?
“Our approach is simple: we use AI carefully and responsibly where it adds genuine value. We do not use it to replace our architectural design process and never will. We use it sparingly and selectively to enhance visualisation and to explore ideas that help our clients better understand certain design possibilities. I would say that it is used mainly to improve visualisations rendered by other software. I can’t stress enough that every Architeria home continues to be shaped by our experience, our creativity and, most importantly, our conversations with the people for whom we are designing. AI is another tool available to architects. Like every tool, its value depends on the knowledge, honesty and responsibility of the person using it.”
"Mel Gawi is the Principal Architect at Architeria Architects. Architeria designs luxury residences, classical and contemporary homes, acreage properties and substantial residential projects across Melbourne, Sydney and beyond."
Interior Design Director
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